IN KEEPING with its modernisation mandate to deliver quality service to its clients, 55 more customs officers from Kingston and Montego Bay graduated yesterday after three months of intensive training.
Thandiwe Foote, customs officer at the Norman Manley International Airport, told The Gleaner that she was delighted to know that she is a certified member of the Jamaica Customs Department.
"The knowledge that I attained here, I will just continue and use it to the best of my ability and make sure to implement the laws and represent Jamaica Customs the best way I can," she told The Gleaner.
For Damali Thomas, who is a part of the airport's contraband enforcement team, the training was "quite a long experience but we got through it and we are legally anticipating to go back to our locations and carry out the mandate and the tasks that were given to us."
The graduation ceremony was held at the Heroes Circle office of the Ministry of Finance and Planning.
Hector Jones, commissioner of customs, implored the graduates to "give our clients the highest quality service, as you are the face of Customs at our borders". He said two courses are conducted annually and will continue until all members of staff are trained.
Since the department began its modernisation programme, a total of 248 persons have been trained.
Dr. Omar Davies, minister of finance and planning, who was the guest speaker, noted that there was a certain perception in the public domain about the officers in the Customs Department. He urged the graduates to protect the reputation and integrity of the professional grouping that they are a part of.
INTEGRITY
"Apart from defending your personal integrity (your job) is to ensure that the integrity of the Customs Department is never brought into question by any actions which you may carry out or not carry out", he said.
Dr. Davies told the newly certified officers that they are taking on an enormous responsibility, which is increasingly about the national defence of the country.
He noted that the major deterrent to social and economic growth in many inner-city communities relates to the fact that there are "too many unauthorised firearms in those communities and you represent the first line of defence against escalation of that kind of problem".
